2005 Porsche 911 Carrera S with 77,400 miles on it. Going to offer $28,800.

Plan on making this into a track car with a few modifications.

What should I know and look out for?

ETA:

Look around for an existing track car . You will be miles ahead.

I would  be doing some research/reading FIRST and then decide what to buy.  While you'll get a little info here you should visit some Porsche forums.

If you want to do a track car go for the 06-07 Cayman, you won't be disappointed.

I love my '06 Cayman S but I ain't gonna track............officially.

It has done a lap here and there on a race weekend..............sorta..............

Same color and wheels as my '06 Cayman S.



The '05 has the M96 engine which has had some IMS bearing failures, around 6 percent according to Planet 9 and Rennlist.

I also read that it's mostly on tracked cars that are being overrevved.

My '06 has the M97 engine and some scoff, but I have yet to read about an M97 having the IMS problem that wasn't blown up by the owner.

I also have an '03 Boxster with the M96 engine and my dealer installed the LN Engineering IMS fix for about $1500.  Worth it for the peace of mind.

If you do get a 911, a Cayman, or a Boxster, or if you are seriously looking at them, it would be worth it to get the Durametric "Enthusiast Kit".

http://www.durametric.com/

The Enthusiast model limits you to 3 cars to actually check and clear codes,etc, but there is no limit to looking at the abuse stats on a prospective purchase.

I was possibly looking at upgrading my base Boxster to an '06 S but when I hooked up my laptop with the Durametric SW and cable, it showed the car has been overrevved all to hell and back, so I passed.

It was worth the cost of the kit, about $275.

Rennlist is your friend.

Short version: That is a 997.1. That has basically the same engine as the 996 and, as such, is susceptible to the same problems. Maybe to a lesser degree but not much.

At that mileage, you're looking at the clutch being done and with it the IMSB, AOS and probably some other bits.  Other than that, it will be a great track car.

Again, Rennlist is your friend.

TC

ETA: I didn't read Larry's post before I posted.  I thought he was going to go on about his Cayman...

Personally I would buy a Cayman as well for a track car...

+1 on the Durametric. For an enthusiast with a modern Porsche it's a must. Can't reset the oil change indicator on my Cayenne w/o it.

A 997S would be way down the list of cars I'd turn into a track car. I'd track a 986, 996 or 951 instead. The SPEC classes for the first two are pretty well organized, and the 951 can be made very fast, but it's old and can take a lot of work. Or go with a Cayman if you want to play with a newer car.

What kind of track car, OP?  AutoX?  HPDE?  Amateur door-to-door?

Everyone has already pointed out most of what you need to know.  Go here and bookmark it, and ask plenty of questions.

You can PM me if you'd like - I had an '07 997.1 S and an '11 997.2 GTS (as well as an '03 996)

Isn't this a 996?

No.

Just drove my friends 911, a 2001 996.

It was extreme fun and now we will be looking for one in about a
year.

I will look for a 996 but might consider a 997.

Good thread here !!